Horner

James Horner (1953-2015)

Biography

James Horner (1953-2015) was an American composer who started playing the piano at the age of five. He is best known for his film music credits, which include Titanic, Avatar and Braveheart. A keen aviator, he died when the plane he was piloting crashed in California.

Life and Music

He studied at the Royal College of Music under György Ligeti before moving back to California. His first major film soundtrack was in 1982 with Star Trek: The Wrath Of Khan. Since then he has scored over 100 films.

Horner won a number of accolades for his film music including three Grammy awards, two Oscars and a further five Oscar nominations.

Did you know?

James Cameron, the director of Titanic, initially did not want to use the Celine Dion number, My Heart Will Go On, in the film. Horner secretly recorded it and presented it to Cameron, who then swiftly changed his mind.